Best Android VPN apps for 2025
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With more and more of our lives happening online, smartphones have become an essential component of our daily routines. Whether you’re shopping, banking, or socializing – everything can be tracked online, even on Androids. This information can then be used by third-parties profiting off your data or your ISP to slow down your internet speed. An easy way to increase online privacy and security of your Android smartphone is to start using a VPN.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your current location, enhancing your online privacy. Downloading a VPN on your Android phone is as important as getting one on a computer, considering how integral they are to our daily lives.
We've been testing VPNs for over 5 years, and these top recommendations are based on our experience and testing results. NordVPN is our top pick, as it delivered excellent results in our speed tests and overall performance. That said, every VPN on our list is worth considering and could be the best choice for your Android smartphone.
Our top-tested VPNs for Android
- NordVPN – best VPN for Android in 2025 overall
- Surfshark – cheapest VPN for Android
- Proton VPN – privacy-focused VPN for Android with a free plan
- IPVanish – reliable Android VPN with unlimited connections
- ExpressVPN – premium VPN for Android
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
What is the best VPN to use on Android?
Based on our research and user reviews, NordVPN is considered to be one of the best VPNs to use on Android. With 7400+ servers across 118 countries, strong encryption, and a user-friendly app, NordVPN is ideal for Android users. Most importantly, during our in-house tests, it easily bypassed geo-restrictions and unblocked international content.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, Surfshark offers an affordable VPN service without compromising on app performance and overall speeds. Proton VPN is another excellent choice for privacy-conscious users, offering advanced privacy features and great value for your money.
Here’s a short overview of the best VPNs for Android.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
| Security | AES-256 encryption | AES-256 encryption | AES-256 encryption |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 7 days | No |
| Speed retention rate | 90% | 86% | 85% |
| Server locations | 7400+ servers in 118 countries | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 11800+ servers in117countries |
| Supported Android versions | Android 7.0 or above | Android 5.0 or above | Android 8.0 or above |
| Price | From $3.09/month | From $2.19/month | From $3.59/month |
In-depth reviews: our VPN recommendations for Android
If you’re looking for an Android VPN to protect you from tracking, stop ISP throttling, unblock geo-restricted content, and keep your online activities private, check out our top VPN options with their specifications compared side by side.
1. NordVPN – overall best VPN for Android for 2025
| Rating: | |
| Supported platforms: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Servers: | 7400+ servers in 118 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Current deal: | Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
Why I chose NordVPN
After days of in-house testing, I have concluded that NordVPN is the best VPN for Android. It showed excellent results in our speed tests, demonstrating an average download speed of 468.2Mbps against the 500Mbps baseline. We unblocked every major streaming platform, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, with little to no buffering. Moreover, our DNS and IP leak tests showed no indication of data leaks on Android, further confirming that NordVPN is highly reliable.
My experience with NordVPN
With over 7400 servers in 118 countries, it’s no wonder why NordVPN easily unblocks geo-restricted content. Its obfuscated servers are particularly useful when trying to bypass geo-restrictions. Although, during our tests, it showed slightly slower speeds – nothing you would notice in practice though. In addition, NordVPN has quite a few specialty servers, including P2P, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN, although, in my experience, the latter is not as reliable.
I was most impressed with the fact that NordVPN maintains excellent speeds no matter what you’re doing. Our NordVPN review showed that NordVPN retains around x of the original internet download speeds. This is an impressive result – it means you won’t even notice that you’re connected to a VPN. I’d say that NordVPN had the smoothest app out of all the ones we tested for Android.
Another aspect that makes NordVPN great for Android devices is the abundance of practical features. This includes split tunneling, which allows you to select which apps use the VPN connection – perfect for mobile games. Meshnet is particularly useful; however, I ran into some speed issues when using it on older devices. I also tested its DNS leak protection feature and found it works as intended – no DNS leaks were detected with any of the NordVPN connections.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed that one of NordVPN’s best features, Threat Protection Pro, is unavailable on Android devices. So, if you’re looking for an app with strong anti-malware capabilities on Android, NordVPN may not be the best option. Instead, I’d recommend Surfshark whose malicious ad blocker, CleanWeb, is supported on Android devices.
Nonetheless, I appreciate that NordVPN is committed to privacy. It has undergone four third-party audits, the latest one in 2024, performed by Deloitte, one of the largest audit companies in the world. Once again confirming that it follows a strict no-logs policy.
Last but not least, NordVPN has an intuitive app for Android. It’s modern and easy to navigate just like its desktop counterpart. I appreciated that the majority of NordVPN’s features are available on the app. You can even check your current VPN connection streak in the statistics section.
Who should pick NordVPN
With impeccable speed and overall performance, NordVPN is ideal for those who regularly watch TV shows and movies on their Android devices. Starting at x, you’ll get a robust VPN plus a comprehensive cybersecurity suite on your Android.
2. Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN for Android
| Rating: | |
| Supported platforms: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Servers: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Current deal: | Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Why I chose Surfshark
Surfshark is another one of my favorite VPNs. It’s cheap, reliable, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Our in-house tests showed that despite its low price, Surfshark retains more than 90% of the original internet speed. When we tested Surfshark’s Android app capabilities, we were happy to confirm that it easily unblocks geo-restricted content without compromising overall performance.
My experience with Surfshark
Surfshark has an impressive list of 3200+ servers in 100 countries. While it’s significantly smaller than that of NordVPN, it’s more than enough to unblock major streaming platforms without a hitch.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark lets you choose from several specialty servers, including P2P, Obfuscated, Static, and Dedicated IP servers. I liked that Surfshark’s Multihop feature, which is a type of double VPN, can be customized, unlike NordVPN's double VPN.
Speed-wise, Surfshark is on par with NordVPN. In our Surfshark review, we found that its average internet download speed is 462.7Mbps, with a baseline of 500Mbps. This is a great result, showing that Surfshark retains around x of the original internet speed on Android.
As for features, Surfshark doesn’t hold back. All of Surfshark's features are available on the Android app – it’s the only VPN on this list that offers its full feature list on Android. Features include the basics, such as split tunneling and a kill switch, as well as IP Rotator. I appreciated that CleanWeb, Sursfhark’s ad blocker, was available on the Android app, unlike NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro.
In addition, Surfshark has features exclusive to Android devices, including GPS override and small packets. I found GPS override the most useful as it greatly increases your chances of bypassing geo-restrictions, even with platforms that use advanced technology to detect VPN usage. Small packets is a feature you can enable in settings. It reduces the size of transmitted packets, which can improve speed, stability, and overall performance.
Who should pick Surfshark
At just $2.19/month, Surfshark is the top pick for anyone who wants to protect an unlimited number of devices with one subscription without spending too much. In addition, its GPS override feature makes it a great VPN for streaming on Android.
3. Proton VPN – Android VPN with advanced privacy features and a free plan
| Rating: | |
| Supported platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Servers: | 11800+ servers in 117 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Current deal: | Get up to 64% OFF Proton VPN |
Why I chose Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a favorite among privacy-conscious users, and for good reason. It's secured with AES-256 encryption, Secure Core servers, and a third-party verified no-logs policy. Most importantly, Proton VPN aims to provide private and secure internet access to everyone with its free version. Our tests have shown that Proton VPN offers the best free version out of all the VPNs we have tested, providing all of the basic functionalities of a VPN without compromising on security.
My experience with Proton VPN
With a massive server network of over 11800 servers in 117 countries, Proton VPN offers the largest selection of server locations on this list. The title of the highest server count overall is reserved for Private Internet Access (PIA); however, it didn’t make our best VPN for Android list.
All of Proton VPN’s servers are P2P-optimized, plus there are several specialty servers, including Tor Over VPN, double VPN, and Stealth, a proprietary VPN protocol that serves as obfuscation.
Features-wise, Proton VPN is oriented around enhancing privacy. It includes all of the essential VPN features and is one of the few VPNs that supports port forwarding, but it’s only available on Windows and Linux devices.
I liked NetShield, Proton VPN’s ad blocker. It’s enabled by default and blocks ads, trackers, and even malware. NetShield has three levels of protection: Don’t block, Block malware only, and Block malware, ads & trackers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to block YouTube ads on Android, even with the highest level of protection.
When it comes to speed, Proton VPN doesn’t disappoint. Our in-house testing showed that its internet download speeds average 438Mbps against the 500Mbps baseline. While not as speedy as NordVPN or Surfshark on paper, you’ll hardly feel the difference in practice.
The Android app isn’t as visually pleasing as NordVPN or Surfshark, but it does its job. I had no issues navigating the app, finding specialized servers, or modifying the settings.
Who should pick Proton VPN
If you’re concerned about privacy and want to support the mission, Proton VPN is the best VPN for your Android. The premium plan costs $3.59 and includes advanced privacy features, but Proton VPN’s free version will cover all of your basic privacy needs.
4. IPVanish – basic VPN for Android with unlimited devices
| Rating: | |
| Supported platforms: | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Servers: | 2400+ servers in 109 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
Why I chose IPVanish
With industry-standard AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, IPVanish is an affordable Android VPN with basic functionalities. It doesn’t offer many additional features, but it will add an extra layer of security to your Android smartphone.
My experience with IPVanish
IPVanish has 2400+ servers across 109 countries, which is a rather small server network compared to giants like NordVPN or Proton VPN. Nonetheless, this doesn’t stop IPVanish from unblocking most streaming sites and doing so with minimal speed loss.
Our IPVanish speed tests showed that it retains around 80% of the original internet speed. This means you can watch your favorite TV shows on Android with virtually no interruptions.
As for features, IPVanish takes a laid-back approach. It includes VPN essentials like auto-connect, a kill switch, and split tunneling. You can also connect to double VPN and obfuscated servers. I liked its unique On Demand feature, which allows you to set rules for your VPN connection, giving you more control over your VPN on Android.
IPVanish also has Threat Protection, which is actually part of the Android app. During our tests, it performed quite well, blocking malicious websites and stopping invasive trackers.
When it comes to usability, the IPVanish Android app is clean and easy to use. All of the features are available on the Android app, which is a plus. I appreciated that IPVanish supports Android version 5.1 and up, meaning you can also secure older Android devices.
Who should pick IPVanish
At just $2.19/month, IPVanish is perfect for those who need basic protection without extra privacy features like NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN.
5. ExpressVPN – highly secure VPN for Android
| Rating: | |
| Supported platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Servers: | 3000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
Why I chose ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN that provides high quality protection plus an online security suite. It employs the industry-standard AES-256 encryption algorithm, unblocks geo-restricted content, and has passed our DNS leak tests with gold stars.
My experience with ExpressVPN
Unlike every other VPN on this list, ExpressVPN doesn’t disclose the exact number of servers it has. However, we know that these servers span across 105 countries, and from my experience, there are plenty of servers to go around, so you don’t have to worry about server congestion.
Our ExpressVPN speed test has shown that ExpressVPN retains 77% of the initial internet speed, which is on par with our top rated VPNs. Its proprietary Lightway protocol generally provides the fastest speeds and it’s available on Android devices.
ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers that remove all data upon every reboot – adding an additional layer of security to your sensitive information. Unlike NordVPN and other providers on this list, ExpressVPN doesn’t have specialty servers, which I found a bit disappointing, especially considering the premium price.
Despite this, ExpressVPN makes up for it with a cybersecurity suite that includes a password manager, ad and tracker blocker, parental controls, and identity protection tools. It even includes an eSIM with every new purchase, adding even more value to having ExpressVPN on your Android.
In terms of user interface, the apps are modern and easy to use across all devices, Android included. All of the features are available on the Android app; however, there are no Android-exclusive features.
ExpressVPN has claimed the title of king of independent audits. Since its inception in 2009, ExpressVPN has undergone 19 third-party audits, with the latest one announced in 2025.
Who should pick ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an Android-friendly VPN with advanced security features. Starting at $4.99/month, it’s ideal for those who want a comprehensive cybersecurity package and don’t have budget constraints.
How we tested the best VPNs for Android
Here at Cybernews, we follow a comprehensive VPN testing process. To find the best VPNs for Androids, I started by collaborating with our research team and evaluating 41 VPNs. Then, I selected the top 5 for further testing. We tested these VPNs on Google Pixel 9, running on Android 14. Here’s what we considered:
- Compatibility (20%). I selected VPNs that support the latest as well as the older Android versions.
- Features (20%). Many VPNs don’t offer the same features on mobile apps. I looked for VPNs that offer the necessary features and more on Android apps.
- Geo-restricted content unblocking capabilities (15%). One of the main reasons why people use VPNs is for streaming. Our research team checked how well each VPN unblocks geo-restricted content on Android devices.
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Security (15%). I looked for advanced security measures such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and more. We also performed DNS and IP leak tests.
- Speed and overall performance (15%). Our research team tested the internet download speed loss for each provider. I added the VPNs with the best results.
- Plans and pricing (15%). VPNs should be accessible to everyone. I added VPNs that offer excellent price-to-value ratio.
Should I use a VPN on my Android phone?
Yes, you should use a VPN on your Android phone, especially if you’re concerned about privacy. A virtual private network, most commonly known as a VPN, encrypts internet traffic and hides its users IP addresses, giving them extra privacy.
It’s particularly useful on public Wi-Fi, which is often not secured. Connecting to a VPN server before joining a public network makes it much more difficult for malicious hackers on the same network to access your sensitive information.
In addition, if you’ve noticed speed drops on your home network, your internet service provider may be throttling your internet connection. Connecting to a VPN on your Android can help you stop ISP throttling. VPN hides your internet traffic from your ISP, so it won’t be able to distinguish what you’re doing
Besides privacy and security reasons, using a VPN on your Android can help you bypass geo-restrictions. It opens the doors to international content that’s locked to a specific region, such as international Netflix libraries and more.
How to install a VPN on an Android phone
Before you install a VPN on your phone, you need to consider where you’ll buy your subscription. There are two options: go to Google Play and install the app first, or go to the official website and purchase the plan there. One of the main advantages of going to the app store is that you can try out the VPN service completely for free as most VPN services include a free trial for Android devices.
Please note that you’ll be subject to Google Play’s terms of service but the 30-day money-back guarantee still applies.
Is it safe to use a free VPN on Android?
Generally, free VPNs tend to be quite limited. But if you’re on a tight budget, a few free VPN options for Androids are available.
My top pick is Proton VPN, which offers a completely free version of its premium VPN. With only 5 servers and 1 simultaneous connection, the free version is very limited, but you will get basic protection on your Android.
If you’re looking for an Android-friendly VPN for streaming, I’d recommend taking advantage of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee instead. You’ll have access to all premium features, including its massive server network and be able to unblock virtually any streaming platform. Most importantly, you’ll be able to get a full refund if requested within 30 days of purchase.
FAQs
How to choose the best Android VPN?
When choosing the best Android VPN consider the following: compatibility with older Android versions, intuitive Android app, and advanced security features. If your primary concern is streaming, choose a VPN with a massive server network, such as NordVPN.
What does a VPN do on Android?
A VPN on Android will increase online privacy, add an extra layer of security, and allow you to access geo-restricted content. It can even improve your internet connection if your ISP is throttling your internet speed. Plus, it’s a great way to add an additional layer of security when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Can I use VPN on older devices?
Yes, you can use a VPN on older Android devices, such as old Samsung phones; however, it depends on the VPN service provider since not all VPN apps support older Android versions. If you have an older device, I recommend using Surfshark. It’s one of the few VPN providers that supports the oldest Android version, starting from Android 4.0 and up.
Does Samsung have built-in VPN?
No. Samsung has a Samsung Secure Wi-F feature, which serves as a sort of built-in VPN that encrypts some of your internet traffic. However, it doesn’t have all the functionalities of a VPN. So, if you want the benefits of using a VPN, like enhanced privacy and the ability to unblock geo-restricted content, you’ll have to go for a third-party VPN app, like NordVPN or Surfshark.
Can an Android VPN help with streaming?
Yes, using a VPN on your Android can help you unblock geo-restricted content on Netflix, Disney+, Max, and other popular streaming platforms.
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